Curating and Exhibition Management

Exhibitions are core activities in museums and art galleries, requiring a combination of curatorial knowledge, creative thinking and practical management skills.

Our online Curating and Exhibition Management short course provides a step-by-step introduction to developing, managing and delivering successful exhibitions in art galleries and museums, alongside the principles and practice of curating exhibitions.

Across 10 weekly evening classes, you will explore current curatorial practice, exhibition programming and audience engagement, as well as the legal and practical considerations involved in delivering exhibitions. The course combines theoretical and applied study, helping you connect ideas and concepts with the practical realities of exhibition management.

The course includes a series of tutorials and contributions from invited guest lecturers, providing opportunities to learn from experts in their specialist areas and gain a broader understanding of professional curatorial and exhibition practice.

This engaging and practical course is ideal for anyone looking to develop their knowledge and skills in curating and exhibition management, whether you are interested in museums and galleries, developing your existing practice or exploring the field as a potential career direction.

• Sign up to our Online Taster Evening

Who is it for?

This course is ideal for those seeking work in the museum and gallery sector, as well as professionals currently working in junior roles who want to develop their curatorial and exhibition management skills.

Timetable

The Curating and Exhibition Management short course takes place every Wednesday at 18.30 for 10 weeks.

Guest speakers and topics might be subject to change.

City St George's Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

By completing this course, you will:

• Explore core topics through an immersive combination of learning, tutorials and talks from experts across different specialisms.
• Build your understanding of the knowledge and skills required for a career in curating and exhibition management.
• Learn about current curatorial practice, exhibition programming, audiences and the legal and practical aspects of exhibition management.
• Study online through 10 part-time evening classes, making the course suitable for working professionals.

What will I learn?

The course will help you understand the complexities of the arts world and develop practical skills for curating and exhibition management.

You will explore:

• Beyond the White Cube: philosophy, curation, audiences and programming in public institutions and commercial galleries.
• Curating an international art auction: explore the curatorial and practical considerations involved, with a guest speaker.
• The role of the art critic: consider the role and influence of art criticism, with a guest speaker.
• Exhibition management – Part 1: budgets, cost sharing, artwork selection, communication, agreements and documentation.
• Exhibition management – Part 2: logistics, insurance, invitations, press releases and social media.
• Exhibition management – Part 3: condition reports, health and safety, installation and display.
• Course assignment: present your agreed course assignment, applying your learning to an exhibition or related topic.

Throughout the course, you will develop skills in communicating with stakeholders, coordinating large teams and liaising with third parties. You will also identify potential challenges in exhibition management and consider practical approaches to minimising their impact.

You will be encouraged to visit current exhibitions, art fairs and auctions, giving you opportunities to apply what you learn and assess events from a professional perspective.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand key principles of curating, exhibition programming and exhibition management.
• Identify and respond to practical challenges involved in delivering exhibitions.
• Understand the importance of communication, coordination and stakeholder management.
• Apply exhibition management principles to practical scenarios and professional contexts.
• Evaluate exhibitions, art fairs and auctions using a more informed professional perspective.

Assessment is informal and takes place through group discussions, classroom activities, questions and answers, exercises and homework. You will be expected to work collaboratively with classmates and participate actively throughout the course.

Depending on the size of the group, your tutor may ask you to present your work during the final class.

You will receive an official City St George’s, University of London certificate if you attend more than 70% of the classes.

This short course is not formally accredited and does not carry academic credit.

No formal qualifications are required. You should have a strong interest in the visual arts and enthusiasm for curating and exhibition management, with a willingness to collaborate with others.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.

The following bibliography is grouped by topic. During the course, you should read at least one reference from one or two topics. The following publications are available online and are useful background reading:

• The Art Newspaper
• Artist Newsletter
• Museum Practice
• Museums Journal

Curation and Exhibition Management

• O'Doherty, B. (2000), Inside the White Cube: The Ideology of the Gallery Space, University of California Press.
• Adamson, G., Antonelli, P. et al. (2007), What Makes a Great Exhibition?, University of the Arts, Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative, USA.
• Clark, K. (1979), What is a Masterpiece?, Thames & Hudson.
• Duffin, D., Organising Your Exhibition, AN Publication.
• Gombrich, H. (1960), Art and Illusion, Phaidon Press.
• Hauser, A. (1962), The Social History of Art, Routledge & Kegan Paul.
• Obrist, H. U. (2014), Ways of Curating, Allen Lane.
• Obrist, H. U. (2011), Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Curating But Were Afraid to Ask, Sternberg Press.
• Serota, N. (1996), Experience or Interpretation: The Dilemma of Museums of Modern Art, Thames & Hudson.
• Thompson, J. M. A. (ed.) (1992), Manual of Curatorship, 2nd edition, Butterworth, London.

Legal Issues

• Simon, S. (2003), Art and Copyright, Hart Publishing, Oxford and Portland, Oregon.
• McClean and Schubert (2002), Dear Images: Art, Copyright and Culture, Ridinghouse.
• Sharp, N. (1992), Visual Arts Contracts: Introduction, AN Publication.
• Sharp, N. (1996), Visual Arts Contracts: Galleries, Dealers and Agents, AN Publication.

Marketing and Sponsorship

• Head, V. (1981), Successful Sponsorship, Institute of Directors.
• Hill, R., O'Sullivan, S. and O'Sullivan, T. (1995), Creative Arts Marketing, Butterworth and Heinemann.
• Jones, S., Fundraising, AN Publication.